Jon Madsen vs. Mostapha Al Turk heavyweight fight signed for UFC 112

http://mmajunkie.comAfter visa issues prevented UFC heavyweight and British fighter Mostapha Al Turk (6-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) from making a fight with Rolles Gracie this past weekend at UFC 109, the promotion has booked him for an international event.

Al Turk is set to face “The Ultimate Fighter 10″ contestant John Madsen (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 112, and sources close to the fighters told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that bout agreements have been signed. The match-up was first reported by aroundtheoctagon.com.

UFC 112 takes place April 10 at Concert Arena at the Ferrari World theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and it marks the promotion’s first trip to the Middle East and a component of a new deal with U.A.E.-based event company Flash Entertainment.

Al Turk, 36, has not fared well in two previous octagon appearances. After he gave up his heavyweight belt in the now-defunct Cage Rage promotion, Al Turk quickly lost his debut at UFC 92 when Cheick Kongo stopped him with strikes in the first round.

In his most recent appearance, Al Turk became another talking point in the case for instant replay when his opponent Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic temporarily blinded him with an eye poke and finished the fight with strikes at UFC 99 this past June.

Al Turk, who trains with London Shootfighters, is fighting for his UFC future with the April bout.

Madsen, 29, is best known for his stint on the most recent season of the UFC’s reality show, in which he fought on Rashad Evans’ team as a newcomer to the sport. Madsen made it past the show’s preliminary round by pounding out a decision against Abe Wagner but fell quickly to eventual finalist Brendan Schaub in the quarterfinals.

Madsen, who trains alongside Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler at the H.I.T. Squad, redeemed his TV loss when he defeated fellow castmate Justin Wren at the show’s live finale this past December.

Madsen vs. Al Turk is expected to take place on the UFC 112 preliminary card.

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